Hypokalemia in HIV patients on tenofovir

Although adverse events in HIV patients taking tenofovir are relatively rare, postmarketing reports of nephrotoxicity have alerted physicians to other potentially serious outcomes. We present a series of 40 patients who developed hypokalemia associated with tenofovir. Identified risk factors included concomitant ritonavir or didanosine use, a lower weight and longer duration of tenofovir use. Recovery or improvement was seen in the majority of patients (66%) after the discontinuation of tenofovir; however, four deaths occurred. The associated consequences of tenofovir-related hypokalemia may be profound and life-threatening.